" It is indeed possible
that Gabriel Johnston, formerly a professor at St. Andrew's
University, had himself not always been a stranger to the kilt.
He induced large numbers of highlanders to come to America and
probably influenced the second George to moderate his treatment
of the vanquished Gaels in the Old Country and permit their
emigration to the New World.
In contrast with the Ulstermen, whose secular ideals were
dictated by the forms of their Church, these Scots adhered still
to the tribal or clan system, although they, too, in the
majority, were Presbyterians, with a minority of Roman
Catholics and Episcopalians. In the Scotch Highlands they had
occupied small holdings on the land under the sway of their
chief, or Head of the Clan, to whom they were bound by blood and
fealty but to whom they paid no rentals. The position of the Head
of the Clan was hereditary, but no heir was bold enough to step
forward into that position until he had performed some deed of
worth. They were principally herders, their chief stock being the
famous small black cattle of the Highlands. Their wars with each
other were cattle raids. Only in war, however, did the Gael lay
hands on his neighbor's goods. There were no highwaymen and
housebreakers in the Highlands. No Highland mansion, cot, or barn
was ever locked.
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